For maximizing available resources, it's difficult to beat the guy on "Survivorman" who can whip up lasagna out of generic bugs and build a campfire with nothing more than a paper clip.

His NBA equivalent could be Phoenix Suns swingman Jared Dudley, who — depending on the height and skill level at your rec center — may not be an early pick when choosing sides for a pickup game.

With the speed of a refund check and a vertical that's not much higher than his jersey number, JD still managed to knock in 23 points and collect seven rebounds in Friday's 109-101 triumph over the Detroit Pistons.

"He's got a real good rhythm going," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said of good ol' No. 3. "He's playing with a lot of confidence."

Well, the entire team is playing with some (dare we call it) swagger these days. Now a gaudy 8-2 since the All-Star break, the Suns (22-22) have reached .500 for the first time since they were a modest 4-4 on Jan. 8. With the Minnesota Timberwolves losing to the Lakers on Friday in Los Angeles, the Suns check in at ninth in the Western Conference playoff hunt.

I'm so proud of Jared Dudley. I was concerned about Dudley as our starting SG but he has improved so much. Gortat and Dudley have been the Suns most improved players then there's Brown, Warrick, and Telfair who also improved but not as much as Dudley and Gortat. Go Suns! Make the playoffs!